2023 List Management

[dejavoodoo44]

Hayward is an interesting one, isn't he.

I'm a bit more appreciative than some others of his work, as he clearly is asked to sacrifice his game to either play 'tag' on intercept defenders, or be the half forward to run high up the ground and back. His addition to the leadership group suggests both the players and coaches value what he does. Plus, he can naturally sniff out a goal - though his goal kicking routine and accuracy was off this year - and has very sticky hands.

Now, having said that, how can we get more out of him? I don't think it's a fitness issue. He covers a lot of ground at high speed. Part of it is how he is used, and that's down to Horse. Is he prepared to release him to be more of an aerial and goal kicking threat, particularly if we release Heeney into the midfield. And then there is what Hayward does with the opportunity.

I get there is a fine line between defensive needs and offensive desire. But I think on balance, a bit like how we often approach centre bounces, we need to take a more proactive approach and Wil would benefit from that. He's never going to be an elite, high end talent, but I think he can definitely do more.

On other issues, Melican has signed for another year.

Another year for Melican

Pleased about Melican. I was pleasantly surprised how he showed good form late in the season, after limping off with what looked like it could be a career ending soft tissue injury.

[Blood Fever]

Is Buller a chance to play back or is he too big? Notice McKay is 199cm.

[Ludwig]

Agree with most of that, but I suspect that the injury prone Sheather might be unluckily delisted. Perhaps with the softener of a VFL contract, if he can get his body right? Which could mean that the injury prone Reid is shifted to the rookie list, to make a space for a draft pick.

I'm don't know if I would say Sheather is injury prone, but rather had a bad luck injury. Foot injuries are always difficult to assess from afar. I'm just assuming that he will make a full recovery unless we hear otherwise. He is taking at CAT B spot and there's no obvious CAT B replacement this year. I think he can remain as a 3rd year Cat B, but I'm never sure about those rookie rules. So delisting Sheather doesn't necessarily create another list spot.

[dejavoodoo44]

I'm don't know if I would say Sheather is injury prone, but rather had a bad luck injury. Foot injuries are always difficult to assess from afar. I'm just assuming that he will make a full recovery unless we hear otherwise. He is taking at CAT B spot and there's no obvious CAT B replacement this year. I think he can remain as a 3rd year Cat B, but I'm never sure about those rookie rules. So delisting Sheather doesn't necessarily create another list spot.

Probably right, but I'm about as clear on rookie list rules, as I am on what constitutes a holding the ball decision these days. Although, I'm not really sure if Sheather is much more than a depth player, when he is on the field.

[rb4x]

Gander. Cabor, Rider, Kirk and May are all possible Cat B rookies. Neither Edwards or Sheather are certainties to be retained. Cleary obviously will need to be drafted on the main list. May would be an upgrade on Owen. Any of the other four could get a contract though a VFL spot is more likely and I one spot as a Cat B for the others would likely be the limit.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Probably right, but I'm about as clear on rookie list rules, as I am on what constitutes a holding the ball decision these days. Although, I'm not really sure if Sheather is much more than a depth player, when he is on the field.

My sense of Sheather is he’s a desperate player and physical, but a bit limited in his scope. He reminds me a bit of James Bell in that he’s got some attributes that make him a strong contributor at VFL level, but no defining attribute that allows him to prosper at AFL level and his position is a bit uncertain.

Having said that, I’ve only watched so much of him so happy to be told I’m wrong. I know he has a couple of fans on here and our old mate The Bloods certainly rated him.

[liz]

Sheather has been on the Cat B list for three seasons now. Normally there is a two season limit but it seems the AFL has recently given out dispensations on request, maybe temporary (ie the COVID-Limited-His-Development argument) or maybe just another instance of rubbery rules. Either way, we should probably work on the basis that if Sheather remains on the list it will need to be as a Cat A rookie (or senior listed player).

I believe Edwards was signed on a two year contract so he is a certainty to be retained.

[Ludwig]

Probably right, but I'm about as clear on rookie list rules, as I am on what constitutes a holding the ball decision these days. Although, I'm not really sure if Sheather is much more than a depth player, when he is on the field.

Except for Sheldrick, every player drafted in the past 2 years is just a depth player at this point. Some of them will have to come through and make the grade if we want longevity in making finals. I thought Sheather was one of our better prospects, especially when he had that VFL stint in defence. Not many of our draftees from the past couple of years have been unaffected by injury, so 2024 is going to be a big year for the VFL contingent.

[BRS328]

Good question Blood Fever. I have been thinking along the same lines. I remember a guy called Heath Grundy who basically was a failed forward. Wasn’t the quickest player on the ground but made up for it with his footy smarts and physical strength

[BRS328]

Liz,
Based on this Sheather is gone. Sadly for him he has been dogged by injury over his time on the rookie list. Perhaps he will be offered a part time role with the VFL team

[Nico]

I think Hayward does alot of unrewarded running.

He isnt a star but can take a grab, can help against an intercepting defender and can kick a goal.

Has kick 25goals + for 3yrs in a row, thats what a good small fwd does.

I nearly threw up in my mouth when someone said Wicks over Hayward

He must be the most unlucky player of all time. 7 years of unrewarded running.

[stellation]

He must be the most unlucky player of all time. 7 years of unrewarded running.

Unkind, dear boy. I get your frustration, but watching him live the lad is a tireless worker leading flank to wing.

[Blood Fever]

Good question Blood Fever. I have been thinking along the same lines. I remember a guy called Heath Grundy who basically was a failed forward. Wasn’t the quickest player on the ground but made up for it with his footy smarts and physical strength

Great example of having an answer to a problem already on the list. Tom McCartin started as a forward and was more successful there than Grundy but has thrived as a back. Maybe 'Houdini' Reid could be an option as well if he is retained.

[MattW]

We actually need to create list spots rather than simply replacing players slated to depart the club. It's not that evident until you look at the details.

By adding Buller and Arnold in the MSD, we went 2 over on list size. I find an easy starting point is to think of the departures of Franklin, McCartin and Hickey create room for Buller, Arnold and Grundy. Now we are back to max list size, so we have to trade out or delist players for every one added, by whatever pathway one chooses.

It's not easy to find players to cut from recent drafts. All 3 ND players from 2022 had injury affected seasons and are in contract anyway. Magor, a rookie who could be delisted, was probably our best permoing player from that draft and deserves another season.

From 2021, there's only Rankin as a possible delisting; he's played well defensively and could become a good small defender if he can improve his disposal efficiency.

Everyone from the 2020 draft is a star. So it's way back to 2019 to search for players to offload. Stephens would find it tough getting chances after 4 ineffective seasons. There are players ahead of him who are not in the first team and several VFL players likely to overtake him. So that's one list spot found.

Gould is the other 2019 draftee who might be delisted. It may come down to keeping 2 of Gould, Reid and Ben McKay. Gould closed the VFL year with some strong performances as a forward and I can see a future for him in that role. As I have mentioned before, if we can't find a ready to go key defender, I think McLean could be a good conversion to defence. This would be made easier if we went into next season with McDonald, Amartey, Buller and Gould as good group of young key forwards. So we can spare McLean for added defence, despite his good performances up forward the past season. It's good to have more flexibility in KPPs anyway.

Owen is almost certain to be delisted, creating a 2nd spot for a draftee.

So that leaves Clarke as the next in line to drop if we need to create another list spot.

After that, the choices become less obvious. So we may have only have 3 open spots, excluding Grundy, for trades and draftee. That's not much. So I wouldn't be looking to bring any players in besides McKay.

We could find a few more delistings, but none will be easy calls. I don't see the point of adding too many new players when we still have a fair few prospects who need at least another season of development, in many cases due to injury related limited playing time.

We should have more spots open after next season.

Great post; cheers.

[waswan]

So our players retiring or their contract ends 2023 are as per below and equals approx $3.5mill.

This money could be used in some capacity depending who stays and who joins Sydney for 2024 plus some is taken already by long term extended contracts recently.

I’m guessing Paddy we pay out in 2024 but it might have a concession against our cap?

Bud $550k
Hickey $400k for Brodie Grundy?
Stephen’s $400k for James Jordon?
PMcCartin $450k? for Mackay plus $350k?
Reid $300k? McLean?
Clarke $300k? For Harmes?
Melican $300k?
Gould $300k?
HHK $100k?
Sheather $100k?
Owen $100k?
Magor $100k?
Rankin $100k?

Average annual contract is $406k in the AFL and the lowest you can earn in the squad is $100k. That’s my skin reading of 2023 AFL contracts.

If we paid Stephens $400k im going to need some of those Emojis too